Gaza pullout protesters cripple rush hour traffic

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 |

Despite a heavy police presence and high alert, opponents of the Gaza pullout crippled rush hour traffic around the country yesterday evening. An estimated 3,000 protesters burned tires and blocked roads at key intersections, in the biggest such protest yet. They chanted, "Jews do not expel Jews!" Police dragged protesters away and more than 300 were detained. Organizers say it’s just the opening shot in a civil disobedience campaign that will intensify as the August 15th target date for beginning the pullout approaches. The aim is to spread police so thin that they will not be able to implement the withdrawal. And the protesters showed that they are able to tie up the police force and wreak havoc.

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